Sunless tanning spray dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser including a rigid outer canister which houses a sunless tanning composition stored within a separate, flexible inner container. The outer canister further includes a propellant, or compressed air, in the volume unoccupied by the flexible container, whereby the tanning composition is completely separate from the propellant. A valve assembly and nozzle are also provided, and together with the propellant, permit the release of tanning composition from the inner container in a continuous stream. The dispenser provides for the facilitated and even application of a sunless tanning composition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a novel apparatus for the preservation and dispensing of a sunless or self-tanning composition. More particularly, this invention relates to a dispensing canister which provides for optimal storage and facilitated application of dihydroxyacetone for coloring the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sunless tanning compositions, consisting principally of dihydroxyacetone (“DHA”), have long been used to provide an artificial, tan-like coloring to the skin. In recent years, these products have become increasingly popular due to the known risks associated with prolonged sun exposure. Manufacturers have, therefore, made sunless tanning compositions available in an array of forms, including creams, gels, foams and non-aerosol liquid sprays.

[0003] While these products are available in a plethora of formulations and consistencies, consumer dissatisfaction remains associated with sunless tanning agents as a result of the development of an unnatural look, typically streaky in appearance, after application and drying of the tanning formulation. Additionally, several hours after application of the formulation, the user will often notice that the formulation has remained on his or her hands, commonly dying the webbed area between the fingers, even after washing.

[0004] Recent improvements in sunless tanning compositions have lessened the problems associated with conventional formulations. For example, it is now known that adding color, or tint, to the finished sunless tanning composition will provide a visual aid to the user, helping the user apply the composition in an even manner and facilitate its removal from undesired areas of application, such as the palms or webbing between fingers.

[0005] Additionally, liquid sunless tanning compositions, commonly dispensed by spray pumps, have been devised to prevent the application of a large concentration of sunless tanning composition in one area. Such a problem often results from the use of conventional creams, especially in the area of initial application from where the cream is spread.

[0006] A significant drawback to using spray pumps, however, is that to effectively release liquid from such containers, the user must maintain the container in an upright position or substantially close to a 90-degree angle. Additionally, spray pumps require the user to repeatedly press on a nozzle and then release, thereby resulting in a pause between each spray of liquid which increases the opportunity for uneven application of a sunless tanning composition. Therefore, a need still exists for a sunless tanning dispenser which provides for the release of a continuous stream of liquid tanning solution. While a conventional aerosol-type spray can would achieve this result, it is well known that sunless tanning compositions have short shelf-lives, being sensitive to such environmental conditions as heat and moisture, which would be substantially decreased upon mixing with an aerosol propellant.

[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sunless tanning spray dispenser which produces a continuous stream of liquid composition without enhancing the degradation of the sunless tanning formulation.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sunless tanning spray dispenser which allows for the thorough mixing of the tanning composition, to achieve a more even coloring upon application to the skin.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sunless tanning spray dispenser which produces a spray that substantially reduces “streaking”.

[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sunless tanning spray dispenser having the ability to produce a liquid stream while inverted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The foregoing objects are met by the present invention which provides a sunless tanning spray dispenser and method for facilitated and even application of sunless tanning compositions.

[0012] The present invention comprises a flexible, expandable container adapted to receive a known sunless tanning composition, preferably having dihydroxyacetone as the main active ingredient. The flexible container is removably surrounded by a rigid exterior housing or canister, which is provided with an air-tight seal. The canister is sealed prior to filling the flexible container with the sunless tanning composition, so that air is trapped within the canister in the volume unoccupied by the flexible container. When the flexible container is filled with sunless tanning composition, the container expands, thereby compressing the air within the canister. While maintaining complete separation from the tanning composition, this compressed air acts as a propellant.

[0013] The flexible container is connected to a conventional valve assembly, including a distribution tube, or like means. A dispensing nozzle is in communication with the flexible container via the distribution tube, whereby a first end of the distribution tube is connected to the dispensing nozzle and a second end may be removably inserted within the flexible container. When pressure is applied to the nozzle, the valve assembly is opened so that the tanning composition may pass through the distribution tube and be ejected from the dispenser through the dispensing nozzle. The tanning composition is ejected from the dispenser as a result of pressure being exerted on the flexible container by the surrounding compressed air in the canister.

[0014] The combination of a sunless tanning composition contained within the above-described dispenser offers substantial advantages over the prior art. For example, because there is no mixing of the sunless tanning composition and the propellant, as with conventional aerosol cans, the continuous spray produced is undiluted, consisting entirely of sunless tanning composition.

[0015] Additionally, unlike containers having spray pumps, this type of canister allows the sunless tanning composition to be dispensed at an angle and even when the canister is in an inverted position.

[0016] For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 1, showing the manner of filling the container with sunless tanning composition.

[0019]FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view as taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, showing a completely expanded flexible container in phantom.

[0021]FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view as taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a view showing the operation of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.

[0023]FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view as taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, the sunless tanning spray dispenser of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 10. As most clearly seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus broadly comprises a rigid exterior canister 12 of cylindrical shape and a flexible pouch-like container 14 adapted to be received therein.

[0025] The canister 12 is preferably formed of metal comprising a closed bottom portion 16 and a dome shaped upper portion 18 having an opening 20 adapted to receive the flexible container 14 therethrough when the flexible container 14 is empty. As can be most clearly seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the opening 20 is surrounded by a rolled collar portion 22 constructed to mate in air-tight sealing relation to a head cap 24, having a diameter substantially equivalent to the opening 20, and with a corresponding rolled rim 26. From the head cap 24 of the canister there projects a conventional actuator or dispensing nozzle 28 having an orifice 30 and L-shaped hollow duct 32, whereby the duct 32 is adapted to be connected to a distribution tube 36, upon which the dispensing nozzle 28 sits.

[0026] Extending downwardly from the underside of the head cap 38 is the flexible container 14 which is in fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle 28 via a conventional vertical action valve assembly 40 that includes the distribution tube 36. The flexible container 14 is fixed to the underside of the head cap 38 by corresponding rolled collar portions 42, 44 and is constructed preferably of a durable, flexible plastic material such as polyethylene to accept a known sunless tanning composition having dihydroxyacetone as the main active ingredient.

[0027] The distribution tube 36 of the valve assembly 40 includes opposing first and second ends 46, 48. The first end 46 is connected to the L-shaped duct 32 of the dispensing nozzle 28, establishing communication between the interior of the distribution tube 50 and the nozzle orifice 30.

[0028] The second end of the distribution tube 48 is sealed by a circular plunger-like plate 52 movably seated below an intermediate plate 54, whereby discharge of the sunless tanning composition is prevented when the dispensing nozzle 28 is in a raised or first position as shown generally by arrow 56 in FIG. 5. Thus, in the first position, the movable plate 52 provides a seal between the flexible container 14 and the distribution tube 36 so that the liquid tanning composition is prevented from flowing out of the flexible container 14.

[0029] Advantageously, the valve assembly 40 is constructed so that the distribution tube 36 is arranged for movement in a vertical direction by applying downward pressure to, or releasing, the dispensing nozzle 28. When pressure is exerted upon the uppermost surface of the dispensing nozzle 58, as most clearly seen in FIG. 7, the dispensing nozzle 28 is moved downwardly into a second position, as shown by arrow 60, whereby the plate 52 is unseated and a series of apertures or vents 62, disposed through the distribution tube 36 in an area adjacent the plate 52, are exposed. When the dispensing nozzle 28 is in the second position, the vents 62 are positioned below intermediate plate 54, exposing the vents 62 to the sunless tanning composition within the flexible container 14 and permitting the tanning composition to enter the interior of the distribution tube 50. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the sunless tanning composition is forced by pressure into the L-shaped duct 32 and released from the dispenser 10 via the adjacent nozzle orifice 30, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0030] To accomplish the release of the sunless tanning composition as described, the flexible container 14 is pressurized by a propellant, preferably air. Because sunless tanning formulations generally have short shelf-lives, it is important for tanning compositions to be isolated from other substances, such as propellants. Thus, this invention provides for a tanning composition to be housed within the flexible container 14, while the air or other propellant is independently maintained in the remaining volume of the interior of the canister 64.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the preferred manner of constructing the present apparatus, the head cap 24,connected to the dispensing nozzle 28 and the flexible container 14, is mounted in air-tight sealing relation to the rolled collar 22 of the canister. It is preferable to seal the canister 12 prior to filling the flexible container 14 with the known tanning composition so that a greater volume of air is trapped in the interior of canister 64.

[0032] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flexible container 14 is desirably filled with the tanning composition by a conventional feed tube 66 connected to the nozzle orifice 30. A depressor 68 is mounted to the uppermost surface of the dispensing nozzle 58, forcing the nozzle into the second position, whereby the vents 62 are exposed and the liquid tanning composition entering the distribution tube is permitted to flow into the flexible container 14. Preferably, the flexible container 14 is completely evacuated before it is installed within the canister 12 to minimize its volume and maximize the volume of air within the canister 12. As the flexible container 14 is filled with liquid, its sidewall 70 is expanded outwardly as best seen in FIG. 3 and phantom in FIG. 2, whereby the air locked within the canister 12 is compressed or pressurized by the expanding container 14. The flexible container 14, when completely filled by the liquid tanning composition, resembles the cylindrical shape of the canister 12 as shown in phantom in FIG. 4.

[0033] The tanning composition may be released from the flexible container 14 in a continuous spray by applying force to the uppermost portion of the dispensing nozzle 58. Because pressure is exerted upon the tanning composition by the force exerted by the propellant onto the sidewall 70 of the flexible container, the tanning composition will rise through the interior of the distribution tube 50 via the exposed vents 62 and be propelled from the dispenser 10 through the nozzle orifice 30. In addition to achieving a continuous spray, this dispenser 10 produces an undiluted spray comprised entirely of sunless tanning composition. Advantageously, unlike conventional sunless tanning spray dispensers, the apparatus of the present invention can produce a continuous spray in either an upright or inverted position.

[0034] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the sunless tanning spray dispenser without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the valve assembly can be of any of the various types used in the art for maintaining materials under pressure within a container body and discharging the contents in a controlled manner. It would also be apparent that the canister and, accordingly, the filled flexible container, could be of any desirable shape. For the above reasons, the scope of this invention is to be defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sunless tanning spray dispenser comprising: (a) an flexible inner container disposed within an outer canister; (b) said flexible container having a liquid formulation of sunless tanning composition therein; (c) a pressurized propellant contained within said outer canister, whereby said propellant is separated from said sunless tanning composition by said flexible container; and (d) said flexible container is configured to be in communication with a dispensing nozzle via a valve assembly.
 2. The sunless tanning spray dispenser of claim 1, wherein said sunless tanning composition includes an effective amount of dihydroxyacetone.
 3. The sunless tanning spray dispenser of claim 1, wherein said propellant is comprised of air.
 4. The sunless tanning spray dispenser of claim 1, wherein said outer canister includes an air-tight seal.
 5. The sunless tanning spray dispenser of claim 1, wherein (a) said flexible container is adapted to be expanded in response to pressure exerted by said sunless tanning composition being introduced into said flexible container; and (b) said flexible container is adapted to be compressed in response to pressure exerted by said propellant contained within said outer canister.
 6. The sunless tanning spray dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dispensing nozzle is movable between a first position and a second position.
 7. The sunless tanning spray dispenser of claim 6, wherein said dispenser is adapted to release said sunless tanning composition from said flexible container when said dispensing nozzle is in said second position.
 8. A method of dispensing a sunless tanning composition comprising the steps of: (a) placing a collapsed flexible inner container within a rigid outer canister; (b) inserting a quantity of a liquid sunless tanning composition into said flexible container to expand said flexible container such that a propellant contained within said outer container is pressurized and said liquid sunless tanning composition is isolated from said propellant; and (c) opening a valve to establish communication between said liquid sunless tanning composition and the ambient atmosphere, whereby said liquid sunless tanning composition is ejected from said flexible container as a result of pressure exerted against said flexible container by said pressurized propellant. 